Silver Moon – Book 3 Chapter 7

Kagura was silently laying on the roof, staring up at the stars. She had her body stretched out in front of her, and she was using her crossed arms as a cushion for her head. It wasn't the most comfortable position in the world, but it worked.

As for the girl's mood, it seemed like she had actually managed to calm herself down. Earlier that day, she had originally crawled up on the roof to hide from the others. She wanted some time to herself, to just sit and pout and complain about whatever the hell she wanted to. She just wanted to do something that would help vent some of her anger. And finally, after sitting in the warm and breezy weather all day, her anger had eventually petered out. She had managed to get her temper under control, and now all she wanted to do was just be alone and enjoy the peace and quiet of the night.

I just want to be alone Kagura thought as she continued watching the stars. Peace and quiet, all by myself…

It will be just like when Gin-chan leaves me…I'll be left all alone…

Kagura's blank expression suddenly turned into a scowl. Hmph…fine by me. If he wants to leave, then I should just let him. I'll probably be better off without him! That way, he won't yell at me anymore. I'll finally get all the peace and quiet that I want…it will be perfect…

As much as Kagura wanted herself to smile, she couldn't do it. Instead, her frown just grew larger as she looked off to the side. Oh, who am I kidding? Letting Gin-chan leave is the last thing I want…even if he does get angry sometimes…I mean, why does all of this stuff have to happen anyway? Why does there have to be change in my life? Why do I have to take the blame for stuff that's not even my fault? Why do I just end up getting angry at the people I care about?

Kagura gave a sigh before closing her eyes. "Life sucks sometimes…" she whispered to herself. After a moment, she opened her eyes again and continued gazing at the stars.

Suddenly, a noise caught Kagura's attention from her left. The girl just looked over as she watched a hand grasp the edge of the roof. It was not long before it was followed by an arm, and eventually the rest of Tsukuyo as she pulled herself up. Once she was steadily on top of the building, she glanced over to the girl. "Ah, Kagura, there you are."

Kagura just glanced at Tsukuyo as she continued to frown. Honestly, she wasn't too happy to see the courtesan right now. What's she doing here? she wondered to herself.

Tsukuyo gave the girl a soft smile. "Gintoki said that you would be up here."

"Did he?" asked Kagura in an uncaring tone.

Tsukuyo gave Kagura a sympathetic look. She could tell that the girl was still upset. "Yeah, he told me about the fight that you two had earlier."

"Good for you then," said Kagura rudely before she could stop herself. She then winced before peeking over at the courtesan. She hadn't meant to give such a sour remark like that.

However, Tsukuyo didn't seem bothered by it. Instead, she just continued to smile out of sympathy. Gintoki must have really upset her she figured. I need to try to get her to relax. Nothing will be resolved if she stays in such a bad mood…

"May I join you out here?" the courtesan asked politely.

Kagura stared at her for a second. Eventually she shrugged and looked away. "I suppose…"

"Thank you," Tsukuyo replied. She then calmly walked over to where the girl lay and joined her. She took up the same position that she was in and also began looking up at the stars.

Kagura just did her best to ignore her as she became lost in thought. Seriously, why is she even here? The last thing I want to do right now is sit here and talk to her. I honestly just wanted to be left alone…

Kagura let out a silent sigh. Just bare with it, Kagura…

Tsukuyo simply remained silent for a while, hoping that the quiet would help ease some of the girl's tension. After a few minutes, she finally spoke up. "It's a lovely night out tonight," she noted.

Kagura stared up at the stars. "Mm-hmm."

Tsukuyo eyed her for a second before looking skyward again. Still acting despondent, huh? Well, let's see if I can try to get you to open up. Maybe some light small talk will help…

With a new goal in mind, Tsukuyo smiled to herself. She felt like she had just come up with the perfect topic to discuss. "It seems like life is progressing rather quickly for me and Gintoki. I can't believe that our wedding is now less than a week away. Can you?"

Kagura threw the courtesan a weird look. Why is she bringing this up now? she groaned in her thoughts.

"No," she replied bluntly.

Tsukuyo let out a small sigh before softly smiling. "Things are going to be so much more different once the two of us are married. Honestly, I'm a little worried about what to expect, but at the same time, it's actually kind of exciting."

Kagura produced another scowl as her mood began to sour. "Yeah, I guess so," she replied back.

Tsukuyo just closed her eyes as she continued. "Just think about it," she said. "I'll actually be living here on the surface with Gintoki. We'll get to spend all of our time together if we want…it will be lovely…"

Tsukuyo opened her eyes again as she gazed at the sky. "And as for you, you'll finally get this place all to yourself. I think that you'll really enjoy that…"

What the hell? Kagura cursed as she could feel herself growing irritated. Is any of this actually supposed to be making me feel better? You're just restating everything that I don't want to happen! It's really starting to piss me off…

Tsukuyo turned to look at the girl next to her. "Well, what do you think? Are you looking forward to the upcoming changes?"

"Oh yeah, I can't wait!" Kagura snapped back sarcastically. Normally, she would have tried her best to hold back such a comment, but it seemed like her true feelings of discontentment were starting to get the best of her.

Tsukuyo just looked at the girl out of confusion. She had not been expecting such a sudden outburst like that. Has my small talk not been working? she couldn't help but wonder to herself.

"Hey, Kagura," the courtesan began slowly, "is everything alright?"

Kagura looked at her for a second before she turned away. She then closed her eyes as she gave a sigh. "Yes, everything is fi-"

Kagura suddenly froze. Something felt weird. She could feel something twisting inside of her. All of a sudden, her attitude took an extreme jump. For some reason, she was suddenly feeling angrier than ever before.

Unbeknownst to Kagura, the Dragon Rage had finally started to take its effect…

"On second thought," she began in a heated tone, "everything is not alright…"

Tsukuyo was delightfully surprised to hear her say this. It finally seemed like she was making some progress with the girl. "What's the matter?" she asked in a soft and caring voice.

"What's the matter?" asked Kagura as she suddenly shot up to a sitting position. "Oh, I'll tell you what's the matter. I have a problem. A big problem…"

Tsukuyo started to give the girl a weird look as she also sat up. "Okay, what is it?"

Kagura produced a very unpleasant frown before slowly lifting her finger up. She pointed it directly at Tsukuyo.

"You."

Tsukuyo immediately felt taken aback. "M-me?" she stuttered.

Kagura's eyes suddenly widened as far as they could. "That's right, you're my problem…"

Tsukuyo was now starting to grow more and more confused. "I don't understand…what are you talking about?"

Kagura rolled her eyes before glaring back at the courtesan. "Ugh, you stupid bitch, do I have to explain everything to you?"

Upon hearing this, Tsukuyo became speechless. Since when did she talk like this? she wondered, bewildered.

At this point, Kagura rose to her feet while she continued to point at Tsukuyo. Her angry expression did not change. "You are my problem," she restated. "Do you want to know why? It's because you're going to ruin my life!"

Tsukuyo honestly didn't know what to say. "H-how am I-?"

"You're going to take Gin-chan away from me!" Kagura hissed. "You're going to marry him, and then force him to leave me all alone! It's all your fault!"

By this point, Tsukuyo was truly feeling dazed. She had no idea that Kagura felt this way. She didn't realize that she, and she alone, had been the sole source of Kagura's recent distress. Tsukuyo immediately started feeling guilty.

Kagura, on the other hand continued to stand over the courtesan, seething with rage. Eventually, she just dramatically swiped her arm off to the side. "Just go away!" she screamed. "Just go away and leave us all alone! We'd all be happier here without you!"

Tsukuyo looked up at the girl, feeling very hurt. How can she say these things? I mean, is this really how she feels? Does she really want me to go away forever?

Tsukuyo looked down for a second, trying to gather her thoughts and her confidence. Eventually, she rose to her feet before looking at the Yato girl that stood across from her. "I had no idea that you felt that way, Kagura…" she said quietly.

Kagura didn't respond. She just continued to glare at the courtesan.

Tsukuyo softly stared back at her. "I'm sorry that I'm the one that's been upsetting you this whole time, I really am. I honestly feel terrible. I would like to try and make it up to you…but I'm afraid I can't fulfill your request. I won't go away; I'm sorry…"

Kagura suddenly clenched her teeth. "You won't?" she demanded.

Tsukuyo closed her eyes. "No, I won't," she repeated. "As long as Gintoki still wants me to stay with him, then I will. I will not leave him as long as he still cares for me…as long as he still loves me…"

There was silence after that, in which Kagura continued to glare with wide eyes. Tsukuyo simply watched the girl carefully, anxiously awaiting her response. To Tsukuyo's surprise, Kagura's frown slowly turned into a smile. A wicked smile.

The girl then gave an insane laugh that made Tsukuyo cringe. "AH HA HA HA HA HA!"

Once she was done laughing, Kagura glared at Tsukuyo again, this time with a grin. "Fine then. If you won't leave, then I will just have to get rid of you myself."

"What!?" asked Tsukuyo, her eyes widening out of fear.

Kagura pointed at Tsukuyo again, still grinning. "I'm going to kill you."

"I…I don't believe this…" said Tsukuyo as she gave the girl a worried frown. "This isn't like you, Kagura! You're acting like a completely different person! In fact, you're acting just like your brother!"

Upon hearing this, Kagura's eyes began sparking with madness. She clenched her fists as she screamed back at the courtesan. "I'm nothing like him! Don't accuse me of being just like that idiot!"

Tsukuyo gave her a curious look. She had not expected her comment to set the girl off like that. Was this still the same Kagura that she knew, after all? The same Kagura that hated her brother? There was a chance. Tsukuyo decided to bravely speak back up.

"But it's true, isn't it?" she asked with a scowl. "You're talking about killing people, just like Kamui would."

"DON'T SAY HIS NAME!" Kagura roared. "I don't even want to think about him right now! All I want to do is get rid of you for good!"

Kagura then brought her arms forward and held them palms-up towards Tsukuyo. "You'd best prepare yourself, Tsukky. I'm coming for you now, and I'm going for the kill…"

Tsukuyo just barely realized what was about to happen before it actually did. Kagura pounced at the courtesan, her arms swiping wildly, trying to get a hit. Tsukuyo managed to jump backwards at the last second. She ended up landing on the rooftop of the next building over. She then clenched her teeth as she stared back at the girl.

"Kagura, are you really serious about this!?" she demanded. "Listen, I know you're angry, but I don't want to fight you! We can find another way to settle this!"

Kagura just gave her a glare. "No, there is no other way," she said quietly. "The only way that I'll be satisfied is if you're dead. Now, let's keep going…"

Without warning, Kagura jumped towards the courtesan again. This time, she was pulling back a clenched fist as she approached her. Tsukuyo just jumped sideways, landing on another roof across the street. Once again, Kagura appeared right beside her. Tsukuyo began sprinting from rooftop to rooftop, desperately trying to escape. Kagura just followed closely behind her.

Shit, I can't shake her Tsukuyo thought as she glanced backwards. Eventually, she stopped running and turned around. Kagura swiftly landed in front of her.

"Kagura, stop this!" Tsukuyo pleaded with the girl. "I don't want to have to hurt you!"

Kagura simply grinned. "Good, that will make this so much easier."

Without another word, the Yato launched herself at Tsukuyo. She began throwing a series of punches, which Tsukuyo did her best to dodge. Eventually, Kagura accidently left an opening, and Tsukuyo decided to seize her opportunity to make a move. She leaned forward, and grabbed both of the girl's wrists.

"KAGURA, STOP!" she screamed at the girl.

Kagura paused for a second, looking confused. She then ginned before pulling her head back. She quickly brought it back forward, effectively causing it to collide with Tsukuyo's temple.

"Ouch!" Tsukuyo cried as the force knocked her away. She raised a hand up to her forehead as she opened one of her eyes. To her shock, the Yato was right on top of her once more. Without hesitating, the girl kicked the courtesan in the side. Tsukuyo flew away before roughly landing on another rooftop.

"Ugh," Tsukuyo moaned as she attempted to pick herself up. "Damn it, she's being completely serious. It looks like I can't talk her out of it either…"

Tsukuyo gave a sigh. "I guess that it can't be helped; I'm going to have to fight back." She looked up to see the Yato girl jumping from rooftop to rooftop in order to reach her again. "Forgive me, Kagura, but at this point, it's simply a matter of survival..."

Within seconds, the girl stood before her again. Tsukuyo took the opportunity to produce a kunai in each hand. Kagura just watched her carefully, anxiously waiting for the courtesan to make a move.

They stood still for a moment, both glaring at each other in silence…

Then it happened. Tsukuyo threw kunai after kunai at the girl as Kagura darted back and forth in front of her. Tsukuyo tried to follow her movements, but she was just too quick. Eventually, Kagura leaped onto the side of a tall chimney that stood behind Tsukuyo. She then pushed herself off, flying straight for the courtesan. Tsukuyo turned around just in time to get punched right in the face. A small spurt of blood flew out of her open mouth as she twisted away in pain.

Kagura managed to land on her feet a short distance away from her. She glanced at the blood on her fist before distastefully flicking it away. Tsukuyo just rubbed her own blood off of her mouth as she glanced at her.

One second later, they were going at it again. Kagura was trying to get close while Tsukuyo tried to fend her off by throwing kunai. As she approached, Kagura swiftly sidestepped the blades as they flew past her head. Once she was close enough, Kagura twisted around the final kunai before smacking Tsukuyo's face with the backside of her fist.

As Tsukuyo turned away from the force of the hit, she kept her focus on Kagura. As fast as she could, she shoved a kunai right through the girl's hand. Kagura just glanced at it for a second before using her free hand to punch Tsukuyo right in the stomach. Tsukuyo instantly coughed up more blood.

As Tsukuyo fell, she produced another kunai and lifted it up. She was aiming for the girl's foot. Kagura quickly noticed this and jumped away at the last second. Tsukuyo just ended up hitting the rooftop instead. She then slowly stood back up as she looked over to the Yato.

Kagura just ignored her. She was currently looking at the kunai that rested inside of her hand. Eventually, she glanced over to Tsukuyo. "Did you really think that this would be enough to do me in?" she asked, unamused. Without hesitating, the girl ripped the kunai free of her hand, causing a small trail of blood to fly out with it. "Here, you can have it back," she said as she threw it at Tsukuyo.

Tsukuyo, however, was actually ready for such a tactic. She had experienced it more than enough when she had fought with Kamui a few months ago. Without thinking, Tsukuyo just swiftly reached up and caught the kunai between her fingers. She then glared at Kagura. "Don't start thinking that I'm done for either."

Kagura's expression quickly flashed from surprised to annoyed. "Grr…would you just give up and die already?" she growled.

"No, I won't," Tsukuyo replied sternly. "I told you already, I'm not going to willingly leave or die or do anything like that. I simply refuse, as long as Gintoki still cares for me."

Kagura's eyes twitched out of rage. "WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "WE WERE HAPPIER WITHOUT YOU!"

Tsukuyo flinched upon hearing this. Even if she didn't truly believe what she said, it still hurt to hear Kagura say these things. She just looked down at the rooftop as she addressed the girl. "I'm sorry to hear that, Kagura. I actually thought…that we were kind of close…"

Kagura glared at Tsukuyo for a second before she threw her a look of complete disgust. "As if I would actually care about you," she muttered. "I hate you…"

Tsukuyo couldn't help it. A small tear fell out of her eye when she heard this. She then quietly sniffed before looking back up at the girl. "I see…very well then. If that's the way it has to be…"

Kagura raised her arms up in front of her. "Let's hurry up and finish this already…"

The two of them locked eyes for a moment, before they both jumped towards each other. Tsukuyo thrust her kunai at Kagura, but she instantly grabbed the blade with her injured hand, causing it to bleed even more. She then grasped Tsukuyo's arm before hurling the courtesan away. Tsukuyo landed roughly on yet another rooftop. She didn't even have time to recover before Kagura was right back on top of her. The Yato quickly rushed in and went to stomp on Tsukuyo, who managed to pull out a kunai at the last second. She carefully aimed it so that it connected with Kagura's descending foot, effectively sending the blade right through it as the girl brought it down.

Kagura, however, didn't even flinch as she changed maneuvers. Instead of going for a kick, she curved her leg and kneed Tsukuyo right in the face. Tsukuyo fell over backwards as Kagura landed on top of her. The Yato pinned the courtesan down with her legs before she began showering her with a barrage of consecutive punches. She hit Tsukuyo everywhere she could: her chest, her face, her arms. Before long, Tsukuyo was covered in bloody bruises.

Kagura paused for a second. "Are you dead yet?" she asked with a cold glare.

Tsukuyo clenched her teeth as she produced another kunai from the sleeve of her damaged arm. She instantly jabbed the girl in the side with it, causing a fresh stream of blood to spray out.

Kagura winced for a second, before swiftly slapping Tsukuyo across the face, hard. By this point, even that was enough to make blood fly out of Tsukuyo's mouth. The courtesan started to cough again, but Kagura was growing irritated and impatient. The Yato grabbed Tsukuyo before effortlessly tossing her into the air. She then jumped up to meet her. With a small flip followed by a powerful kick, Tsukuyo was sent flying back to earth. Once again, she was met with a rough landing on a rooftop not too far from where they had originally started fighting.

Tsukuyo coughed some more as she tried to lift her arms. Ugh, it hurts to move she thought with a cringe. She wasn't exactly immobilized by the pain like she had been in her fight with Kamui, but any further movement from her at this point would be agonizing to say the least.

Tsukuyo then watched as Kagura gracefully landed a few feet away from her. Apparently, the girl had already removed the two kunai from both her side and foot. All that remained now was just a couple of heavily bleeding wounds. Kagura, however, didn't really seem to mind. Her full attention was still on Tsukuyo.

The two of them glanced at each other for a second, before Kagura flashed her insane grin again. "Time to make the kill," she said maliciously.

Tsukuyo could only stare back in helplessness as the Yato girl approached her. Shit. Is this how it ends? Are…are you really going to kill me…Kagura?

Kagura stopped right next to the courtesan. She raised up an arm and opened her hand. She then positioned her fingers so that they strangely resembled a claw. The girl was going to pierce her with that hand…

"Any last words?" asked Kagura with a smirk.

Tsukuyo stared back at her before softly closing her eyes. "I'm sorry, Kagura…"

"Too bad; I can't forgive you," said Kagura gleefully. She flashed her insane grin once more. "So long, Tsukky!"

Her arm started to move…

…For some reason, however, it instantly stopped...

"Huh?" asked Kagura, glancing over to her motionless arm. To her surprise, somebody had grabbed it, and they were steadily holding it in place. Kagura curiously turned around to see who it was.

It was Gintoki, and he was seething with a temper of his own. He glared down at the girl that stood before him, his eyes sparking with rage.

"What the hell is going on here?" he breathed.

Oh dear. It looks like Tsukuyo is having quite the rough time. Not only does Kagura hate her and blame her for everything, but she also wants to kill her. Well, at least Gintoki is there now. Hopefully he'll be able to save her…

Wow…I felt like I just wrote a review for this chapter or something XD Weird, huh? I mean, it's my very own story for crying out loud! Seriously, what's wrong with me? Yeah, I'm not sure either…

Anyways…moving on XD I know that a lot of you said that you didn't want Kagura to attack Tsukuyo. Aw, I thought that was kind of sweet. It's like you guys are trying to look out for Tsukuyo's wellbeing :) Oh well, I wrote it anyway. I don't even feel guilty about writing it either. In fact, I liked writing it. I guess that makes me the bad guy XD

In other news, you just gotta love that Know Know Know song by Does. In fact, I listened to it quite a few times while writing this chapter. It really has that actiony feel to it. By the way, how was the action this chapter? Good? Really good? Amazing?

Huh? Subpar!? Oh…okay then…

Next chapter: Gintoki arrives and stops Kagura! (wait, didn't he already do that!?) Look forward to it! As for this chapter, let me know what you thought about it! (So review it, okay?) Thanks a million! See you next time!